Editor’s note: At Local Town Pages’ deadline, neither Gov. Baker nor the Department of Education had yet to announce whether schools would open this fall.

 Ashland High’s new cheerleading coach is a purebred Clocker.

Hannah Connors not only is an Ashland native, but she also was a two-time captain in cheerleading and played softball for two seasons before graduating in 2014.

The 23-year-old Connors will begin her coaching career next month when she greets prospective candidates during tryouts at pre-season practice. To say she’s eager to get started is an understatement because her enthusiasm is off the charts. That quality definitely impressed Athletic Director Stephen Marks.

“We’re excited and fortunate that Hannah will be leading our cheerleading squad,’’ said Marks. “Her enthusiasm, energy, and passion for the sport were evident throughout the hiring process. As this opportunity presented itself, it was a no-brainer.’’

Connors’ goals for her first year are admirable, blending the need to build, bond and trust.

“I want the girls to learn technique and to keep improving their skills,’’ she said. “We’ll also aim to qualify for the regional tournament but to achieve that we’ll strive to score the necessary points at the Tri Valley League competition. If we get to the regionals, then we’ll do our best to execute our routines. It’s realistic to get to regionals because only five girls graduated from last year’s squad.’’

Connors’ style should help Ashland’s program, which has had its ups and downs. The Clockers dominated for a three-year stretch, starting in 2007. The team won the winter TVL competition in 2007, 2008 and 2009, the fall TVL competition in 2009, the State and New England Championships in the winter of 2009, then proceeded to place third at the National Championship in the winter of 2009.

Earlier this year, the cheerleading team placed third at the TVL meet and qualified for the regionals in the winter. Unfortunately, because of covid-19, the event was canceled. 

“I’ll be a cheerleader teacher as well as a cheerleader coach,’’ she emphasized. “I want to build trust and I want the girls to know what the expectations are.’’

Connors knows a thing or two about cheerleading — she was a four-year varsity competitor who captained the Clockers as a junior and senior. At the University of Maine, she was a cheerleader for two years. “I stopped competing after my junior year to focus on a challenging academic schedule in my final year.’’

Connors earned her degree in communication sciences and disorders and is now working on a masters in speech pathology at Emerson College. For the last two years she’s been a speech and language assistant in Ashland’s school system.

Her career as a cheerleader at Ashland was solid but the team’s results were mixed. She was chosen a TVL all-star as a senior, and during that year the squad finished in the top three at the TVL meet, capturing third-place honors. But, during her four years, it seemed like the program’s progress was slow.

“We were always rebuilding,’’ she recalled. “We lost girls to graduation and scheduling conflicts. We also had three coaches in four years and all three had very different styles. We were constantly adjusting and trying to deal with interruptions in continuity.’’

The third-place finish at the TVL meet, however, was rewarding. And uplifting.

“That was my best moment at Ashland,’’ Connors said. “To place in the top three was our goal and to achieve that took hard work, commitment and bonding. The competition in the TVL is tough. Finishing third produced tears of joy and lots of celebrating.’’

Connors’ top cheerleading thrill, however, dates back to her freshman year. It was her very first competition — the TVL meet. “Just being on the mat was exciting and it gave me confidence, but I also was very nervous,’’ she noted. “We didn’t place but I remember our team got good ratings on our tumbling skills.’’

Connors’ strengths as a cheerleader were linked to her athleticism. She played third base in softball and was viewed as a consistent fielder who also was steady at the plate.

“Mental toughness and resiliency were important for cheering,’’ she said. “I improved as a tumbler and was flexible with stunting. As I gained experience, my skills improved along with my chanting. As a captain, I tried to lead by example and by being responsive and supportive.’’

Connors likes what she’s seen of this fall’s captains — juniors Pam DeSilva and Charlotte Perry. “They’ll be great leaders,’’ she said. “They’re super committed and also willing to give pep talks.’’

Marie Burke, who coached the squad for the last three years, has helped Connors with her transition. “She invited me to a team meeting when she announced she was leaving,’’ Connors noted. “She brought momentum back to Ashland cheerleading and the guidebook she wrote is very helpful. It deals with the basics, fund-raising and practice regimens.’’

Marks lauded Burke’s contributions. “I’d like to thank coach Burke for all that she did for the program,’’ he said. “She laid a strong foundation for coach Connors to build upon.”

When the pre-season schedule gets underway, Connors will be stressing some key points. “The girls will hear about trusting one another and possessing positive attitudes,’’ Connors emphasized. “I’ll also focus on being resilient and sharpening our routines, especially tumbling and stunting.’’

Connors, who started cheering at age eight in Pop Warner football, plans on having a roster of 20. To make the cut, there’ll be some key attributes she’ll require. “Commitment to the sport and the team will be a key,’’ she offered. “Athleticism and leadership are important along with being energetic, positive and mentally tough. Accepting constructive criticism will also be an asset.’’

Connors is acutely aware that practices and competitions will undergo changes because of the coronavirus — like social distancing. “Cheerleading is a contact sport, so there’ll be alterations, but cheering at football games shouldn’t be a problem because there’s plenty of space,’’ she said.

Labeling cheerleading “a sport,’’ Connors knows that’s a topic that’s discussed often.

“People say what they think,’’ she said, “but the sad part is that the public only sees the squad at football or basketball games. For the most part, they don’t see the TVL or regional competitions that require athletic ability, especially in tumbling and stunting. There’s pressure to perform and execute at a high level. It’s all about being athletic.’’

Hannah Connors will be a good fit for Ashland High’s cheerleading contingent because her enthusiasm and energetic style will be contagious.